Chandigarh, India — The Indian Air Force (IAF) officially concluded the storied six-decade service of its legendary Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 fighter jets on Friday with a poignant decommissioning ceremony at the Chandigarh Air Force Station. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led the tributes, describing the iconic Soviet-origin supersonic jet as a “national pride.”
The MiG-21’s final operational sorties were flown by jets of the No. 23 Squadron, known as the “Panthers”. Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, who led the last sortie in formations like the ‘Badal’ and ‘Panther,’ ceremonially handed over the aircraft’s Form 700 logbook to the Defence Minister, symbolizing the formal end of service.
Defence Minister’s Tribute: In his address, Minister Singh highlighted the aircraft’s critical role in India’s defence history, stating, “The MiG-21 is not only an aircraft or a machine but a testimony to the deep attachment and confidence it has instilled in the nation. It is a mighty machine and a national pride.”
He recalled the jet’s unmatched contributions as the ‘backbone’ of the IAF:
- 1971 War: Played a decisive role, including the strategic bombing mission on the Governor’s House in Dhaka.
- 1999 Kargil Conflict: Saw operational service.
- 2019 Balakot Airstrikes: A MiG-21 Bison successfully shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet.
The Minister also clarified the age controversy, noting that the retired modernised variants were mostly around 40 years old, a normal lifespan for such jets globally. He added that the aircraft’s retirement is a farewell to “our collective memories, of our national pride, and of that journey in which the story of courage, sacrifice, and excellence has been written.”
End of an Era and Transition: Inducted in 1963 at the same Chandigarh base, the MiG-21, with over 870 units acquired over the years, served longer than any other fighter in IAF history.
The grand ceremony included a majestic flypast by the MiG-21s alongside newer aircraft like the Jaguar and the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, which is slated to be the primary successor. The departing jets were accorded a traditional water cannon salute on their final taxi, marking a transition to modern, domestically-produced platforms, and ensuring the continued strength of the Indian Air Force.
